Automatic circuit governing device



D. KUMFMAN AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT GOVERNING DEVCE April 7, 1942.

Filed Junel 2o, 1941 INVENTOR Dan/el Kum man. BY d Patented Apr. 7, 14942 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 2,278,705 AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT GOVERING DEVICE t Daniel Kampman, Dover, N. J. Application June 20, 1941, Serial No. 398,883'

6 Claims. l (Cl. 20o-116) This invention relates to an vautomatic circuit governing device and, more particularly, to a delayed action switch and is a continuation, in part,

of my application Serial No. 347,356, led July 25, 1940..

One of the principal objects of the instant invention is to provide an improved and simpliiied device of the character indicated which may be used as a manually operated direct action switch as well as an automatic delayed action switch.

v The type of switch with which the invention is concerned employs preferably a thermostatic element for tripping the circuit governing mechanism. The thermostatic element consists preferably of a bi-metallic strip which, when heated, is

deflected so as to release the otherwise manually Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2l of Fig. l. l l

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. l. y

Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram showing the connec-` tion between the various parts of the switch.

Throughout the drawing, the same numerals refer to the same or analagous parts.

It will be understood that the following description and the illustrations ofthe drawing are given by way of example only and not by way of limitation. On the other hand, the invention' lends itself to a variety of expressions-Within the scope of the appended claims.

In terms of broad inclusion, the instant invention contemplates a resilient circuit closer or circuit governing mechanism which is energizable by the movement'of the manually operable switch circuit controller from open'to closed position or vice versa to tension the circuit closer for circuit governing movement. A thermostatically controlled tripper arm restrains this movement while the switch circuit controller is returned to an intermediate position. yIn this position, a \secondary circuit is established mostatically controlled contact arm to release the circuit closer for circuitgoverning movement.

vThe switch according to the invention comprises a more or less standard conventional type of switch box I0 which is formed of suitable insulated material having a base or iioor II, end walls I2 and side walls I3. A pivot shaft I4 is mounted in the side walls I3 to extend transversely'across the switch box.

On the pivot shaft I 4 there is rotatably mounted the manually operated switch circuit controller which is generally indicated at I5. The switch circuit controller comprises a handle I6 and a frame I1 of general circular shape. The handle I8 and the frame I1 are made of insulated material. The frame Il is recessed or portion cut away to accommodate a contact plate I8.

The contact plate I8 is covered on one side entirely by the frame Il, as shown in- Fig. 2 of the drawing, but is partly exposed on the opposite side, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The contact plate' I8 is grooved to accommodate the legs I9 of the connecting post 20.

The legs I8 are slightly flexibler in order to insure a iirm contact with the contact plate I8, as shown in Fig. 4.

The legs I8 may be anchored to the shaft I4.

The connection post 20 which is anchored to the wall II of the switch box accommodates a tiescrew 2I to which the'lead 40 to the device 4I may be connected. The other portion of the lead 48 of the circuit is connected to the tie-screw 2| engaging the connecting post 22 and which latter is connected to the bi-metallic, thermostatic element 23. i

The circuit closer or circuit governing mechanism 24 is rotatably mounted on the shaft I4 concentrically with the switch circuit closer I5.

The circuit closer 24 is provided with a lug 24a which is in frictional engagement with the contact plate I8.

In the embodiment shown, a spring 25 tends to I hold the circuit closer 24 in resilient abutment with the shoulder 28 of the frame Il. The spring 25 is mounted on a shaft I4 and has one end engaging the notch 26 of the circuit closer 24 and the other end abutting against the lug 2l. In the views shown in the drawing, the circuit closer 24 is shown in its off position. When it is desired to make the circuit, the handle I6"of the switch circuit controller is positioned downward, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3. Durthrough a heating coil which actuates the theru ing this operation, the circuit closer 24 is pushed into contact with the thermostatically controlled strip 23.

The thermostatic strip 23 is provided with a hooked end portion 23a which engages the detent or notch 43 of the circuit closer 24. The circuit to the device 4I is now closed, the current ilowing through the strip 23, lthe circuit closer 24, the contact plate IB, the legs I9, the connecting post 20, the tie-screw 2I to the device. The circuit is now completed by the lead 42 which is connected to the opposite pole of the source of electric energy (not shown in the drawing).

This latter lead is also connected to the heating coil 29 by means of the tie-screw 30 and the anchor plate 3I. The other end of the heating coil is connected to the flexible strip 32. The flexible strip 32 is connected to a bracket 33 which insulates it from the connecting post 22 and the thermostatic strip 23. The free end of the strip 32 is provided with a hooked end portion 32a which engages the cammed contact member 34 which is in engagement with the contact plate I8. The contact wedge 34 is pro'- videdwith a notch or detent 35;

The notch 35 and the iiexible strip 32 are so arranged that the hook 32a will engage the notch 35 when the switch circuit controller I5 is in a position intermediate the closed position and the open position. Thus the notch will act as a stop to indicate to the operator the intermediate position and further manipulation of the handle IB .will be against the resistance of the flexible strip 32.

The spring 25 is so selected that the tension thereof will not cause the circuit closer 24 to become disengaged from the hook portion 23a oi the thermostatic strip 23 when the switch circuit controller is moved from its on" position to the aforesaid intermediate position. However, further movement of the circuit switch controller will cause the circuit closer 24 to be pushed out of engagement'with the thermostatic strip 23 by the lug 21, and the spring 25 will immediately return it to the position shown in Fig. 3. The strip 32 will then assume the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. In the intermediate position, however, a secondary circuit will be established in the heating coil 29. The heat thus produced will cause the bi-metallic strip 23 to become deflected away from the notch 43 of the circuit closer 24. The circuit closer will thus become released and assume the position shown in Fig. 3 and break the circuit.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the device, according to the invention, may be operated manually as a direct switch simply by moving the switch circuit controller I from its on positionV to its nnal od position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, or it may be used as a delayed action switch by stopping the switch circuit controller in the intermediate position, that is, when the hooked portion 32a Vof the strip 32 engages the notch 35 of the cammed contact.

A cover plate (not shown in the drawing) mayi be fastened to the eye-bolts 36.

Although the device according to the inventior has been described specically in the foregoing specincation as a circuit breaker, it will be understood that it may be used equally well as a circuit maker without departing from thev scope of the invention. What is claimed is: l. In an electric switch, a manually operable switch circuit controller movable from an open end position through an intermediate position to a closed end position and vice versa a circuit governing mechanism, resilient means situated 5 between said circuit controller and said circuit governing mechanism and normally tensioning these parts, said resilient means being further tensioned by a return movement of said switch circuit controller from one of said end positions to tension said circuit governing mechanism for circuit governing movement, a defiectable thermostatic contact arm engaging a portion of said mechanism to restrain said movement when said switch circuit controller is returned to the intermediate position, a heating coil for controlling said thermostatic contact arm, and means connected to said switch circuit -controller for establishing a secondary circuit in said heating coll when said-switch circuit controller is in said intermediate position, whereby said circuit governing mechanism will be released for circuit governing movement after a predetermined lapse of time.

2. An automatic circuit breaker comprising a d manually operable switch circuit controller movable from an open position through an intermediate position to a closed position and vice versa, a circuit closer, resilient means situated between said circuit controller and said circuit closer and normally tensioning these parts, said resilient means being further tensioned by the return movement of said switch circuit controller from the closed position to tension said circuit closer for circuit breaking movement, a deiiectable thermostatic contact arm engaging a portion of said circuit closer for restraining said movement when said switch circuit controller is returned from said closed position to said intermediate position, a heating coil for controlling said thermostatic contact arm, and means connected to said switch circuit controller for establishing a secondary circuit in said heating coil when said switch circuit controller is in said intermediate position, whereby said circuit closer will be released to break the circuit after a predetermined lapse oi.' time. v

3. In an electric switch, a manually operable switch circuit controller movable from an open position through an intermediate position to a closed position and vice versa and having a contact plate, a circuit closer slidably engaging said contact plate, a spring situated between said circuit closer and said circuit controller and normally tensioning these parts, said spring being 5 further tensioned by the return movement o! said switch circuit controller from the closed position to tension said circuit closer for circuit breaking movement, a deflectable 4thermostatic contact arm engaging a portion oi said circuit closer for restraining said circuit closer when said 'switch `circuit controller is returned from said closed position to said intermediate position, a heating coil for controlling said thermostatic contact arm, a separate contact arm connected to said heating coil, and contact means carried by said contact plate adapted to engage said contactarm when said switch circuit controller is in said intermediate position, whereby a secondary circuit will be established in said heating coil and whereby said circuit closer will be released to break the circuit after a predetermined lapse of time. 4. In an electric switch, a manually operable switch circuit controller movable from an open position through an intermediate position to a closed position and vice versa and having a contact plate, a circuit closer slidably engaging said contact plate, a spring situated between said circuit closer and said circuit controller and norposition to said intermediate position, means for y yieldably restraining said switch circuit controller in said intermediate position, a heating coil for controlling said thermostatic contact arm, a

separate contact arm connected to said heating coil, and contact means carried by said contact plateadapted to engage said contact arm when said switch circuit controller is in said intermediate position, whereby a secondary circuit will be established in said heating coil and whereby said circuit closer will be released to break the circuit after a predetermined lapse of time.

5. An automatic circuit breaker comprising a manually operable switch circuit controller rotatable from an open position through an intermediate. position to a closed position and vice versa and having a contact plate, a circuit closer slidably engaging' said contact plate and rotatvable together with said switch circuit controller,

a spring situated between said circuit closer and said circuit controller and normally tensioning these parts, said spring being further tensioned by the return movement of said switch circuit controller from the closed position to tension said circuitv closer for circuit breaking movement, a deiiectable thermostatic contact arm engaging a portion of said circuit closer for restraining said circuit closer when said switch circuit con' troller is returned from said closed position to said intermediate position, a heating coil for controlling said thermostatic contact arm, a separate contact arm connected with said heating coil, and separate contact means connected to said contact plate engaging said separate contact arm when said switch circuit controller is in said intermediate position, whereby a secondary cir--l cuit `in said heating coil will be established and whereby said circuit closer will be released to break the circuit after a predetermined lapse of time.

6. In an electric switch,,a manually operable switch circuit controller movable from an open position through an intermediate position to a closed position and viceversa and having a contact plate, a circuit closer slidably engaging said contact plate, a spring situated between said circuit closer and said circuit controller and normally tensioning these parts, said spring being further tensioned by the return movement of said switch 'circuit controller from the closed position to tension said circuit closer for circuit breaking movement, a deectable thermostatic contact arm engaging a portion of said circuit closer for restraining said circuit closer when said switch circuit controller is returned from said closed position to said intermediate position,

i means for yieldably restraining said switch circuit controller in said intermediate position, a heating coil for controlling said thermostatic contact arma separate contact ann connected to said heating coil, contact means carried by said contact plate adapted to ,engage said contact arm when said switch circuit controller is in said intermediate position, whereby a secondary circuit will be established'in said heating coil and whereby said circuit closer will be released to break the circuit after a predetermined lapse of time, and means connected with said switch circuit controller for forcibly disengaging said circuit closer when said switch circuit controller is moved beyond the intermediate position toward the open position,

DANIEL KUMPMAN. 

